Saturday, January 22 2005 09:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Controversial American evangelist Benny Hinn last night (Jan 21, 2005) announced a relief of $ 2,50,000 for the rehabilitation of Tsunami victims in India.

At his "Festival of Blessings: Pray for India" programme at Jakkur airfield on the outskirts of Bangalore, Hinn said that the relief would cover people of all faiths and added "more money will pour in".

The three-day programme, which has come under attack from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Sangh Parivar activists as aimed at promoting conversion to Christianity, began with a prayer for India and the national anthem.

"India will bless the world", Hinn told a huge crowd that had poured into the venue, which had been turned into a high security zone, with more than 10,000 policemen keeping a hawk eyed vigil.

Hinn, who is also portrayed as a "healer miracle man", also performed what was touted as "miracle healing" on some of the sick who had gathered at the event.

Brushing aside demands that he should stay away from the event, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh attended the programme, which passed off without any untoward incident.